Cleaning a used aquarium?

Dustinba · Nov 27, 2018

I just bought a new biocube and the tank overall looks clean, but would you recommend cleaning it with anything to be safe?

Also it is coming with live rock that is now dried out. As far as that goes, should i just let it cure for a few weeks before placing it in the biocube and setting everything up?

Thank you.

Scotty Buttons · Nov 27, 2018

Id clean the aquarium with vinegar and rinse it with RO water after. The rock you could rinse it really well then soak it in RO saltwater with a powerhead for a couple weeks.

Dr. Dendrostein · Nov 27, 2018

Dustinba said:
I just bought a new biocube and the tank overall looks clean, but would you recommend cleaning it with anything to be safe?

Also it is coming with live rock that is now dried out. As far as that goes, should i just let it cure for a few weeks before placing it in the biocube and setting everything up?

Thank you.

As regards to cleaning equipment, if me id use soda ash. The residue,if any, will not effect equipment. Use googles & gloves

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 27, 2018

Light watered down bleach spray.
Rinse well. Set in the sun.

The rock could be fine. Once you get it wet you’ll have some organics rot (help your cycle) and you’ll be able to test the phosphates.
You can d that in the tank or in a bucket. In a bucket you use lanthanum clorine (phosphate RX) and just dump the water in the morning.

Dustinba · Nov 27, 2018

perfect. thank you for the responses

fabutahoun · Nov 28, 2018

Wipe the tank with vinegar or diluted bleach, I would soak the equipment in diluted vinegar .
For the dried rocks, I always like to soak for a day or two with 1:10 bleach to water, and then give it a quick scrub with a brush, then keep it to dry for few days so the all bleach goes out, or you can soak again with water and dechlorine.
Depending on how dirty are the rocks some nutrients will still be there to kick start the cycle.
The bleach will help in killing any dormant nasties that may come with the rocks.

Super Fly · Nov 28, 2018

I don't bother using chems on brand new tank/equipment, I just rinse/wipe with water and dry prior to use.

Super Fly · Nov 28, 2018

wait sorry, is this for used or new tank?... just read title which said "used..." but the thread says "new tank..."

Dustinba · Nov 28, 2018

Super Fly said:
wait sorry, is this for used or new tank?... just read title which said "used..." but the thread says "new tank..."

yeah I should have reworded the title. It is a new tank to me, but it was used before.

Super Fly · Nov 28, 2018

Dustinba said:
yeah I should have reworded the title. It is a new tank to me, but it was used before.

no worries. For used gear, I give it a bleach and vinegar bath especially with a tank. I used 4 gals of distilled vinegar on my used 90 gal tank with 1 cup of bleach and filled rest with water and let it run for 24 hrs. Then drain and refill w clean water and let it run another 24 hrs. Drain and wipe dry and let it sit so remaining bleach will evaporate and you're good to go.

Dustinba · Dec 2, 2018

fabutahoun said:
Wipe the tank with vinegar or diluted bleach, I would soak the equipment in diluted vinegar .
For the dried rocks, I always like to soak for a day or two with 1:10 bleach to water, and then give it a quick scrub with a brush, then keep it to dry for few days so the all bleach goes out, or you can soak again with water and dechlorine.
Depending on how dirty are the rocks some nutrients will still be there to kick start the cycle.
The bleach will help in killing any dormant nasties that may come with the rocks.

100% vinegar to wipe the tank down?

Dustinba · Dec 2, 2018

Scott Jeffries said:
Id clean the aquarium with vinegar and rinse it with RO water after. The rock you could rinse it really well then soak it in RO saltwater with a powerhead for a couple weeks.

Any certain vinegar? And do you dilute the vinegar with water at all, or just 100% vinegar?

Scotty Buttons · Dec 2, 2018

Just pure vinegar is fine i buy it by the gallon at the grocery store, and you don't have to worry about any residual left in the tank. Vinegar will only affect the PH of your water temporarily, and has no ill affects on anything. It also works great for cleaning the glass once your tank is up and running and is much safer then spraying windex near your water.

Dustinba · Dec 2, 2018

Scott Jeffries said:
Just pure vinegar is fine i buy it by the gallon at the grocery store, and you don't have to worry about any residual left in the tank. Vinegar will only affect the PH of your water temporarily, and has no ill affects on anything. It also works great for cleaning the glass once your tank is up and running and is much safer then spraying windex near your water.

awesome. thank you for the help. time to run out to the store and get cleaning